Eagles Cruise to 65-46 Win Over Buffalo

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMU Eagles.com) - The Eastern Michigan men's basketball team defeated the University at Buffalo, 65-46, Wednesday, Feb. 6, at the Convocation Center. The Eagles are now 4-4 in the Mid-American Conference, 11-11 for the season.

Leading scorers for the Eagles were Glenn Bryant (Detroit, Mich.-Oak Hill Academy (Arkansas)) with 17 points, followed by Austin Harper (Grand Haven, Mich.-Grand Haven) with 10. The Eagles posted 6 blocks, including four from Bryant, 5 steals and 8 assists. Eastern shot 26-of-55 (47.3 percent) from the floor and outhustled the Bulls in fast break points, 8-0.

Both teams got off to a slow start, but the Eagles started the scoring as Bryant sank two free throws. Buffalo responded with a layup, followed by a bucket from Jalen Ross (Greensboro, N.C-Greensboro Day School) for two. The Bulls' defense kept Eastern scoreless for a solid three minutes as they took the lead 9-5 with 13:57 left in the first half.

EMU fought back pouring in eight-straight points, four of which came from fast break layups by Harper and J.R. Sims (Fort Wayne, Ind.- Snider), regaining their lead, 17-14. Buffalo came back with a basket of their own, but the Eagles' offense maintained a strong lead of 28-19 with 6:41 on the clock.

In the final minutes of the first half, Sims recorded a steal, breakaway layup and a three-point shot. With one second remaining Buffalo closed out the half with a layup, bringing the score to 37-33 with Eastern in the lead.

The Eagles shot 15-of-33 (45.5 percent) in the first half, while shooting 2-of-6 (33.3 percent) of their three-balls. Matt Balkema (Roseville, Mich.- Cousino) and Sims posted the most points for the Green and White in the first half, each contributing seven. The Eagles' defense put intense pressure on the Buffalo offense, which shot 11-of-21 (52.4 percent) for the half, as they recorded six fast breaks against the Bulls.

Buffalo came out and made the first basket of the second half, but the Eagles responded with three-straight buckets for six points to keep them in the lead, 43-35. The Eastern offense continued to play hard as it gained a 14 point lead, with the score 53-39 with 9:38 on the clock.

The Eagles continued to lead offensively, increasing their lead to a game-high 19 points with 2:49 left in the half. The Bulls fought back hard, but Eastern finished held Buffalo at bay to record the 65-46 tally.

EMU hits the hardwood again Saturday, Feb. 9, when it travels to Toledo, Ohio to take on the University of Toledo Rockets. Tip-off between the Rockets and Eagles is scheduled for 7 p.m.

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Team Stats

Glenn Bryant

Austin Harper

Daylen Harrison

J.R. Sims

Eastern Michigan Athletics